Method and apparatus for fluid leak detection

Abstract

Provided is a method of testing for a leak in a fluid system. The method includes submerging at least a portion of an electrically conductive body in an electrolyte solution, with the electrically conductive body and electrolyte solution being in an internal chamber of a device. The method further includes directing an electrical signal to the electrically conductive body, causing a reaction between the electrically conductive body and the electrolyte solution to produce hydrogen. The method further includes injecting the hydrogen into the fluid system for leak detection.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of testing for a leak in a fluid system, the method comprising the steps of:
 submerging at least a portion of an electrically conductive body in an electrolyte solution, the electrically conductive body and electrolyte solution being in an internal chamber of a device having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; 
 directing an electrical signal to the electrically conductive body causing a reaction between the electrically conductive body and the electrolyte solution to produce hydrogen; 
 receiving a pressurized fluid in the internal chamber via the fluid inlet of the internal chamber subsequent to the directing step and while the hydrogen remains in the internal chamber; 
 mixing the pressurized fluid with the produced hydrogen to produce a resultant mixture suitable for use in leak detection, the mixing occurring in the internal chamber prior to the produced hydrogen leaving the internal chamber; 
 injecting the resultant mixture into the fluid system via the fluid outlet of the internal chamber for testing for a leak; and 
 testing for a leak in the fluid system by sensing whether hydrogen from the resultant mixture is leaking from the fluid system. 
 
     
     
       2. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive body in the submerging and directing steps includes a plurality of electrically conductive plates. 
     
     
       3. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive body in the submerging and directing steps is formed from at least one of stainless steel, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, copper, carbon, silver, gold, titanium, platinum, nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, and aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the submerging step includes submerging at least a portion of the electrically conductive body in an electrolyte solution having a pH between 11.0-11.4. 
     
     
       5. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the submerging step includes submerging at least a portion of the electrically conductive body in an electrolyte solution including distilled water. 
     
     
       6. The method recited in  claim 5 , wherein the submerging step includes submerging at least a portion of the electrically conductive body in an electrolyte solution including at least one of sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and sulfuric acid. 
     
     
       7. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure greater than 135 PSI. 
     
     
       8. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure greater than 150 PSI. 
     
     
       9. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure between 150-200 PSI. 
     
     
       10. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen is produced less than 8 minutes after directing the electrical signal to the electrically conductive body. 
     
     
       11. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen is produced less than 1 minute after directing the electrical signal to the electrically conductive body. 
     
     
       12. The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein a temperature within the internal chamber during production of the hydrogen is less than 75 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
       13. A method of testing a fluid system for leaks, the method comprising the steps of:
 directing an electrical signal to an electrically conductive body in fluid contact with an electrolyte solution within an internal chamber of a device, the internal chamber having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a temperature less than 75 degrees Celsius; 
 producing hydrogen within 1 minute of directing the electrical signal to the electrically conductive body, the hydrogen being produced as a result of a reaction between the electrically conductive body and the electrolyte solution; 
 receiving a pressurized fluid in the internal chamber via the fluid inlet while the hydrogen remains in the internal chamber; 
 mixing the pressurized fluid with the produced hydrogen to produce a resultant mixture suitable for use in leak detection, the mixing occurring in the internal chamber such that the produced hydrogen is mixed with the pressurized fluid in the internal chamber prior to the produced hydrogen leaving the internal chamber; 
 injecting the hydrogen mixed with the pressurized fluid into the fluid system via the fluid outlet of the internal chamber for testing the fluid system for leaks; and 
 testing the fluid system for a leak by sensing whether hydrogen is leaking from the fluid system. 
 
     
     
       14. The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure greater than 135 PSI. 
     
     
       15. The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure greater than 150 PSI. 
     
     
       16. The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the injecting step includes injecting hydrogen into the fluid system at a pressure between 150-200 PSI. 
     
     
       17. The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte solution in the directing step has a pH between 11.0-11.4. 
     
     
       18. The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte solution in the directing step includes distilled water.